Mandel Catching Brown in Ohio Senate Race

Ohio is already firing up as a key presidential election battleground, but Republicans say the race there between incumbent Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown and his lesser-known GOP challenger is developing some heat as well.

According to Politico the race between Brown and Ohio State Treasurer Josh Mandel is tightening, thanks in part to an infusion of $6 million worth of attack ads aimed at Brown from outside conservative groups.

Brown had held a 15-point lead over Mandel in earlier polls, but more recent surveys suggest that his lead has narrowed to only 6 or 8 percentage points.

November is still a ways away, but the polls indicate that Mandel’s name recognition is increasing steadily.